Nationally recognized AI pioneer, former NASA engineer selected to lead nation’s top-ranked HBCU into next chapter of excellence and impact The Spelman College Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Dr. Ayanna Howard as the College’s 12th president. Dr. Howard, a renowned roboticist, entrepreneur, and higher education leader, will build upon Spelman’s legacy of academic excellence and leadership development while helping prepare future generations of Black women to lead in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Howard will assume her duties as president on August 1, 2026. Dr. Howard joins Spelman from The Ohio State University, where she serves as dean of the College of Engineering...

The name Khafra is derived from an ancient African king—an Egyptian pharaoh credited with building the Giza Pyramid. His likeness was the inspiration for the face of the Great Sphinx. Valentino “Val” Bates, principal partner of Khafra Engineering Consultants Inc., is a standout figure in the civil engineering field. In an industry where less than 4% of civil engineers are Black, the firm is nationally known for leading major infrastructure initiatives which include the Clean Water Program for the City of Atlanta and the Fulton County Water and Sewer Improvement Program, along with similar projects in Louisville, Nashville and Baltimore. As co-founder of one of the...

Why is the Annie E. Casey Foundation CEO and president so good at what she does? It’s simple - or at least she makes it look that way - she is innately adept and extraordinarily experienced in identifying and addressing issues for distressed populations. She has developed a razor-sharp understanding of the needs of young people and how to develop and hone strategies to address the challenges. In short, she is a champion. In an exclusive interview with the architect of Thrive by 25® — a groundbreaking effort aligning the Casey Foundation’s work in child welfare and juvenile justice reform, to improve outcomes for adolescents ages 14...

Concessions International, LLC (CI) announces Julian Thomas will serve as its Chief Information Technology Officer, inclusive of serving in the same position for Russell Family Enterprises and all of the other entities that fall under it. Thomas will lead enterprise technology strategy, security, and systems alignment, while managing IT operations across the organization and helping advance secure, scalable solutions that support day-to-day operations and long-term growth. Thomas brings more than 20 years of information technology leadership experience, with a background spanning enterprise technology strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and core business systems. He is a results-driven executive known for aligning technology with business strategy, creating structure...